Kia has become a major player in the SUV game thanks to the family-friendly Telluride. Since its 2020 debut, Kia’s midsize three-row SUV has racked up rave reviews, boasting a near-perfect Consumer Reports rating for three consecutive years. So it’s no surprise the 2023 Kia Telluride landed on Good Housekeeping’s “Best New Family Cars” list. It boasts many conveniences, but one specific Telluride feature will save parents’ vocal cords — and sanity.

This 2023 Kia Telluride feature could save parents’ sanity

The refreshed Kia Telluride boasts a Passenger Talk feature that Good Housekeeping notes will save parents’ vocal cords. We want to add that it will also save their sanity. Thanks to this amenity, parents don’t need to get into screaming matches with mischievous children in the back row. Instead of yelling, parents can use Passenger Talk, allowing the driver to use a front-mounted microphone and rear speakers to address passengers in the back row without wrecking their voices.

Passenger Talk amplifies the driver’s voice in the rear seat and can be handy in noisy areas where communication might be impaired. Parents can benefit from this feature because small children typically occupy the SUV’s rear row.

In addition, the 2023 Kia Telluride has other family-friendly perks. They include a quiet, smoothly operating powertrain, heated and ventilated seats, and second-row captain’s chairs. The SUV also has a Wi-Fi hotspot and an available Harman Kardon sound system that will appeal to parents of teenagers.

More about the 2023 Kia Telluride: Price, specs, and other notable features

The 2023 Kia Telluride continues the model’s winning streak as the best SUV. Consumers like its spacious interior, excellent driving experience, responsive handling, user-friendly infotainment system, and more for a bargain starting price of $35,890.

The standard 2023 Telluride packs a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and tow up to 5,000 pounds. Like previous models, the 2023 version offers a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Buyers can also configure the 2023 Kia Telluride to accommodate seven or eight passengers. Opting for the second-row captain’s chairs provides easy access to the third row but loses a seat. Choosing the bench seat fits three in the second row and eight overall.

Other family-friendly SUVs in the Good Housekeeping roundup

Given all the praise for the 2023 Kia Telluride, it’s hard to dispute that rivals can’t catch a break. However, the Telluride isn’t the only SUV in Good Housekeeping’s roundup of the best family cars. 

GH picked the Mazda CX-30 as the best subcompact SUV, the Volvo XC40 as the best luxury subcompact SUV, and the Porsche Macan as the best luxury compact SUV.

In addition, the Ford Bronco took the title for the best midsize two-row SUV, the Genesis GV70 won for the best luxury midsize two-row SUV, and the Chevy Tahoe earned a nod for the best large SUV. The Lincoln Navigator wasn’t left behind, securing the top spot for the best luxury large SUV.

Completing the list of SUVs is the Land Rover Defender 130, the best luxury midsize three-row SUV. Good Housekeeping especially loves the glass roof that gives the third row plenty of light and a view of the sky.